Stereolab: Cobra and Phases Group Play Voltage in the Milky Night

Stereolab have always felt to me like they were neither quite one thing or the other. (Which may be a good thing, but it's confusing all the same.) The track titles suggest they have their tongue firmly in cheek, but the music can't seem to decide whether its being ironic and kitsch or whether it wants to be Progressive. One time — I'd imagine it was late 2001 — we saw them at the Leadmill (me, D, two Tims, Cath and Penny) and the noodly noise prog element came across strongly whereas the humour didn't. I think I was the only person who liked it much that evening. But on a recording, where there isn't the intensity you need to carry off lots of noodling, I think the wit is a lot more important.

I like the way this album starts, but it's an hour and a quarter long and it doesn't manage to keep its wits about it. I've never felt I've been able to digest the whole thing.

MusicBrainz entry for this album